Cardiff: ‘Careless’ Malky Mackay cost us millions

Malky Mackay’s management was ‘imprudent’, according to Cardiff (Picture: Getty)

Cardiff certainly know how to kick a man when he’s down. The Welsh Premier League strugglers have issued a statement describing former boss Malky Mackay’s management as ‘imprudent’ and ‘careless’.

The Bluebirds sacked Mackay in December after his falling out with controversial owner Vincent Tan before replacing the Scot with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in January.

Former Manchester United star Solskjaer was given funds to embark a transfer-window spending spree, while a number of players, including £7.5million striker Andreas Cornelius, were shown the door.

Cornelius, who was hampered by an ankle injury in Wales, was sold back to FC Copenhagen for £3million but Cardiff claim their loss on the striker was closer to £8.5m, and lay the blame for this waste at the feet of the man who signed him, Mackay.

A statement from Cardiff chief executive Simon Lim read: ‘There has been a lot of press speculation on the loss incurred by the club due to sales. This unfortunately is true.

‘We took the hard decision to incur these losses for the good of the club. To commit the club to a significant cost and liability over a five-year contract for one player is not prudent, especially as he was not to contribute to our success now, but was for the future.

‘Indeed, in the case of Andreas Cornelius, who cost the club in total just under £10million, we realise a large loss in excess of £8.5million, inclusive of transfer fees, salaries, business and compensation paid to player’s agents and other miscellaneous expenses.

‘The key shareholders have made their dissatisfaction of such a huge loss known to the board of directors, which they believe is due to imprudent and careless management undertaken by the previous football management.

‘The new structure, headed by the chairman [Tan] with our new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has given comfort to our shareholders that the process is prudent, transparent and professional.

‘Our new centre-forward Kenwyne Jones scored on his debut [against Norwich] to give us three valuable points. On Saturday we are in the fifth round of the FA Cup [at home to Wigan] and wish all of the team much success and good fortune.’

Lim neglects to mention that Mackay’s other major summer signing, Steven Caulker from Tottenham, has been a success this term.

Cardiff, who are second-from-bottom in the Premier League, resume their bid for top-flight survival on Saturday week away against Hull.